23/04/2026
Present v Future? Past v Present?
Regardless, the Newport Bowls Club is excited to welcome everyone to be Present in the presence of two of the best bowlers our club has to offer as they go head to head in the Men's Presidents Handicap Final.
If you had to pick the Newport Bowls Club's 'Bowler of the 21st Century' so far, it would be pretty hard to go past Roy Crawford. A bowls resume list so long it would make particular bistro menus blush; there wouldn't be too many honour board club events Roy hasn't won on multiple occasions at this club. That's not to mention all his accolades at Spotswood/Kingsville.
Known as one of the best draw bowlers at the club, Roy's bowls IQ is second to none, and we reckon he's bowled more shot bowls with those black Drake Prides with the white dots, than his opponent has had hot dinners in his life. A big player in big moments, it would be foolish to expect that, even after all his accolades, Roy isn't keen to add another title to his collection.
And then there's Cillian, a third-year bowler who has gained a reputation for being able to change the game in an instant with his last bowl. With an almost nonchalant attitude towards bowls, "Last Bowl Cill" was in the top 4 amongst novice bowlers in Victoria (and surrounds), and has continued his fine form in the 4-bowl singles format. Whilst a newcomer to the sport, he came to the club as a multi-sport athlete. As a dour key defender, he was named Centre Half Back of Newport Power Juniors team of the decade (2005-2015), a WFNL Junior Interleague representative, a Premiership player for both Newport Power FC and Spotswood FC, as well as a Western Jets triallist. Football wasn't the only sport he found success in. A menacing fast bowler for Newport Digman CC, he played Hatch Representative and was named Thirds Bowling Champion. Outside of the traditional football & cricket pathway, Cillian's sporting career at his high school CBC, showed his prowess in other sports, with him being named Athletic Champion, Year 12 Hockey Captain, and his school career featured an incredible run in T-Ball, which resulted in a runner-up finish.
After taking a break from sporting commitments to focus on his electrical career and raise his beloved Mocha the Dog, Cillian is looking to add some more achievements to his lengthy sporting resume.
Imagine if you could have Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso sit down in front of you and draw.... this is what is to be expected tomorrow afternoon, when two of the best draw bowlers in the business step onto the mat at the Mecca of Bowls Entertainment, The Newport Bowls Club.
